I tend to visit a lot of live concerts, since most bands manage to create something special on stage that make them come alive, in a way never achieved by the flat compact discs. Here are some of my favorite concerts during 2008.

Thåström Thåström in the sunset.
  • Yazoo in Glasgow – Their debut album from 1982 was one of the very first vinyl records I got. In those early days I would never have guessed that I would see Vince Clarke and Alison Moyet at the Clyde Auditorium over two decades later. (Read more about the the Yazoo concert and the Scotland trip)
  • Thåström in Gothenburg – Semi-acoustic versions of his very best songs, ranging from Imperiet to present day, accompanied by the last rays of the dying summer sun.
  • Suicide Commando at Arvikafestivalen – The sound was infinitely better than the last time I saw them and the raw energy of Johan van Roy in the opening act was energizing. (Read more about Arvikafestivalen 2008)
  • Tom McRae in Gothenburg – He delivered a delicate and subtle performance just as expected, and brought along his friends from Hotel Café which provided a lot of variety on stage. (Read more about the concert)
  • Grinderman at Way Out West – His new band was a disappointment and the Grinderman songs are a bit dull, but Nick Cave is Nick Cave and sometimes that’s all we need. (Read more about Way Out West 2008)
Vince Clarke Vince Clarke, Yazoo in Glasgow.

I also had a look at Thermostatic, Sigur Ros, Kent, Cryo, Broder Daniel, The Flaming Lips, VNV Nation, And One, Aimee Mann, Combichrist, In Strict Confidence, Cut Copy, Rotersand, Sista Mannen På Jorden, Spock, Cruxshadows, System and lots more.

Concerts of 2008 A bunch of bands seen in 2008.

Next year is looking very promising and I already got tickets to Front 242, Depeche Mode, Jean-Michel Jarre, Morrissey and other fossils. Stay tuned!

3 comments

  • avatar
    Mandus
    30 Dec, 2008

    I really like these best-of-the-year lists. Quite a few I would like to have seen myself on your list… but hey, you can’t get it all.
    Not that many super-duper this year, but a few worth to mention:
    Iron&Wine – really nice atmosphere, but got a bit sleepy in the end after all. Weekdays are no good for concerts. :(
    Cut Copy – good stuff, and a band I never got into before the concert. Afterwards a lot more love from me.
    Ratatat – major improved since the last time. Cool VJ-stuff in the background. Loved the birds and the cut up ABBA-video.
    Disappointment of the year was Glasvegas, OK they were not that good to begin with (way to hyped), but seriously… it was boring from the start. And the crowd were really into it with lighters and hands in the air, but that ended rather quickly and I think everyone were pleased that there were no encore.

  • avatar
    30 Dec, 2008

    Thanks for sharing!
    I also saw Cut Copy a few months ago. The Australians were a totally different experience live than on record and I discovered several new favorite songs as they were performed.

  • avatar
    Jonas
    03 Jan, 2009

    Lists like these and Spotify… a brilliant combination!

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